We need to keep our opinions out of the Bible. We can't put a question mark where God has put a period!

Search This Blog

Friday, April 1, 2011

2Ti 2:8-13

TOLERATE- a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own.Today, that word means a little different. Today tolerate adds celebrate those opinions that differ.We no longer can tolerate another we are asked to celebrate their homosexuality, abortion, or extreme beliefs.In an attempt to tolerate we begin to be silenced as to not offend.Tolerate does not have “celebrate” or “be silent” in its definition.Today we must choose: listen to society-Celebrate my sin and be silent about your beliefs. Listen to Peter- …always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you (1Pe 3:15)

V8- Death, burial, and resurrection must be the focal point of our teaching!Paul says 1Co 1:22,23For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

According to my gospel— I noticed when studying this verse that the phrase “Jesus Christ, of the seed of David” is in the anarthrous form.Which basically means that there is no definite article and this phrase is one that Paul considered common knowledge to Timothy.When you look at Rom 1:3Paul includes a definite article!

Now the word “Gospel” on the other hand has a definite article!Paul is referring to one specific Gospel. Same thing in2TH 2:14It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. What is this Gospel… 1Co 15:3,4For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the ScripturesPaul is reminding Timothy to preach, share, and focus on the Gospel and not listen to the heretical teaching if the Gnostics.Do we do a good job of that in the 21st century church?Can we claim Rom 1:16

V9- Paul’s 1st imprisonment was house arrest, so to speak. AC 28:16When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

This epistle is written in another imprisonment to which we do not know how he was treated, but this verse seems to allude to a much tougher treatment.

the word of God is not chained- Human circumstances cannot confine the word of God. Whether through a tract, a book, a Bible, or a simple statement, God uses His word to accomplish His purposes.What are some ways man can chain the Word of God?Is there an open attempt to chain that Word in society today?

V10- for the sake of the elect-Eph 1:4,5Much confusion is made of this word elect.Scripture teaches clearly Christ died for all 1Pe 3:18.LOOK AT 1Jn 2:2And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world

The first “our” is the church/believers/obedient.John goes on to say not “ours” only but the world!Predestination excludes Jn 3:6-18; Acts 10:43!***The call to come to Christ is an invitation to all, all who hear the "gospel"mentioned in verse 8 are faced with a decision to either accept or reject Christ.Thus, if a person person perishes in sin, he is condemned in his own choice, not a punishment from God. Tit 3:10,11Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned

The "elect" person obeys God’s will and Word by living a faithful life, resulting in him becoming one of God’s elect!

Concerning this word Vine’s says, “The source of their "election" is God's grace, not human will, Eph. 1:4, 5; Rom. 9:11; 11:5. They are given by God the Father to Christ as the fruit of His death, all being foreknown and foreseen by God, John 17:6; Rom. 8:29. While Christ's death was sufficient for all men, and is effective in the case of the "elect," yet men are treated as responsible, being capable of the will and power to choose.”

V11- This is also in RO 6:8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,

if we died with Him- This is in aorist tense; indicative mood, which means it is not a continuous action that happened at a certain point in the past!BAPTISM!!

We shall also live with Him- This is in future tense, which usually refers to a single action, but the emphasis is on a future action with the action not being specified.RESURRECTION!NO BAPTISM; NO RESURRECTION

This “faithful saying” is common knowledge throughout the Bible, but is it common knowledge today? NOWhat do we need to do about that, if anything?BE FAITHFUL SOLDIERS AND SERVE THE WAY WE ARE COMMANDED!The Great Commission!!!

V12- endure- Is a compound word mad up of two words that mean “under” & “to remain.” It literally means endure or sustain a load of miseries, adversities, persecutions, or provocations in faith.Peter says as much in 1Pe 4:12-19.

If we deny Him, he also will deny us- Jesus said the same thing in Mt 10:33! 1Jn 2:28How did Peter deny Jesus and still gat the keys to the kingdom?This verse is referring to a final decision and a deliberate refusal.How does it make you feel that the Bible often refers to “suffering” as a Christian?Jesus did, why shouldn’t we?

V13- One of the sternest scriptures in the Word! This is one of those verses people like to twist and lessen the blow!

Mk 16:16He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved

Man says “He who has believed is saved and should be baptized!

Vs 13If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself

Man says "If we are faithless and deny him, nevertheless he, remaining faithful to his promise, will give us everlasting life!

Faithless describes the life of an immature believer who lives for oneself and not for the Savior

He cannot deny Himself-“Mercy without justice is unrighteous!”Mk 16:16 finishes with this promise. Mk 16:16but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned

Like Tit 3:10,11 we are speaking of self condemnation, not a punishment!

CONCLUSION:

Where are you in this story?When we do nothing, we still do something. When we say nothing, we still say something.Will you live for Christ?Will you witness for Christ?Are you faithless with an inactive faith?Do you deny Christ with silence in public?